The 94 year old guy will turn over in his grave if you don't get that oil and antifreeze cleaned up quick LOL

That hitch pulling from the frame is indeed a good design. Sounds like it caused you a little grief.

What all are you doing to it before you re install ??

My engine has EPIC proportions of blow-by. It's had a vibration that's gotten progressively worse over the last few years. That hasn't stopped me from using it to tow my race car around the country, but I'm also towing my mobile garage with me, so I figured I'd have the tools to fix it if something broke. Well, it never broke! It just smoked more and more. It smoked so bad, some witch in a Mercedes 240D gave me the finger when she passed me!!! A 240D!!!! I knew it was time to replace the engine after that gesture.

The transmission actually broke first, so that made it unpleasant to drive. I've had a replacement engine waiting to go in for quite a while, so here we go!

Good looking 06, Do not put a new engine in without being sure the harmonic balance is new (Detroit recommends a new balancer on every rebuild) I learned this lesson by the new engine vibrating like mad, its easier to put a new one on with the engine.

Good looking 06, Do not put a new engine in without being sure the harmonic balance is new (Detroit recommends a new balancer on every rebuild) I learned this lesson by the new engine vibrating like mad, its easier to put a new one on with the engine.

John

Yikes. That's good to know. I'll have to price one out. The engine I bought was rebuilt with a replacement short block, but I wonder if the NY Transit Authority would put a new harmonic balancer on it. I won't even know how well it runs until after I install it! I have run it on the shop floor for a minute or two. It fired up immediately and didn't smoke or have blow by.

That clutch looks way worse then the clutch out of my Kenworth with 1.2 million miles on it (I never did a clutch job). Good Luck, TomC

The clutch was a drag, literally! The pilot bearing is seized, so you can imagine how long I had to wait between shifts. Tonight after work I'll mic everything up and see if the plates can be resurfaced. This shop has a resurfacing machine in it, too! Just need to learn how to use it!!

What are your thoughts on a V730 auto? It would make it a bigger project though. Cutting a larger hole in the bulkhead, probably a bigger radiator, etc. Nimco sells good take outs for ~ $1200+ship. For those reading this post another way to pull the engine w/o a forklift is to crib up the cradle (with wheels if possible or a way to put a pallet jack under it) and then pull the bus away.

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My only concern is that you just aren't greasy enough ! Looks like your helper dodged most of the acumulated grime also. That probably explains the rust!!!! You need some leaks! Nothing beats a big shop and the right tools.

Yeah, I was noticing that they were a lot cleaner than I would have expected. Are we sure that is really a Detroit Diesel and not an imitation?

If you know what you're doing, you don't have to rub all the grease off on your clothes

Dark clothing also hides grease.

The thing that causes me the most concern with towing is the fatigue effects on the frame resulting from the hitch loads. Constant inspections of the susceptible areas should provide adequate warning so a repair can be effected before failure.

Then there is the moment added to the rear of the bus & the chassis' ability to handle the added loads - this has lead to buckled floors in other coaches - but, how much was a result of corrosion & other abuses in it's past?

Good luck with the reinstall.

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While you have the bulk head exposed check for cracks, the 06 model did have problems with cracking,

On the no balancer on the 8v71, I am not sure if they have one or not, but if I were you I would check,

John

As far as I can tell, there are no cracks in the bulkhead, and no signs of any previous repairs to the bulkhead! That's a good sign. I still have yet to pressure wash the engine bay, so I can't say for 100% certainty that there's no damage, but I looked closely and didn't see anything alarming.

I brought the flywheel surface to a machinist and he didn't think that he'd be able to resurface it because of the high, or "hot" spots on it. It's .0430" under spec as new. That's not a big deal because the manual states it can be cut three times, but each time a "shim" needs to be installed between the plate and the flywheel when it's installed. I found one shim which measures .0320", so I take that it's been cut once and if I can find another shim or two, I'd be able to have the shop cut almost .0500" off and still have it within spec when installed. The machining will cost $150-175. A new plate is $230 plus shipping, say $250.

Another picture, the flywheel plate is on the left

The friction discs are both under spec by .0100". They could be reused I imagine, the only damage is the worn spring hubs from all the clutch chatter.

The pressure plate was on the new side, like the friction discs, but since the finger heights were not likely adjusted, it's too far gone. Heavy heat cracking on only one part of the surface.

I hope you can come thru with an art in the BCMag on the hitch fabrication, design and install.

Thank you,

John

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